| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
Issue No.4 Spring 2003
February 4, 2003 Weekly News from the AFRICAN STUDIES
CENTER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 100 INTERNATIONAL
CENTER
EAST LANSING MI 48824-1035
For back issues, see archive <http://www.isp.msu.edu/AfricanStudies>
BULLETIN CONTENTS
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFERENCES FELLOWSHIPS JOBS
February 12, Wednesday
"The Concept of 'Jihad' in a World of Nation States,"
is the title of this lecture in the series "Islam
and World Politics." The talk will be delivered
by Dr. James Piscatori, Fellow of Wadham College and
University Lecturer in the Politics of Islam (Oxford
University), 6:00 p.m., Passant Theater, Wharton Center.
No tickets are required for the event. This lecture
series is organized by Professor Mohammed Ayoob, in
conjunction with his course MC390: Islam and World
Politics. The lectures are open to the public. For
inquiries, contact Professor Ayoob at (517) 353-3538
or his Secretary at (517) 353-6750.
February 13, Thursday
"Towards a New Model for Development Cooperation?
An Update on Partnership Activities 2001-2002,"
African Studies Center Brown Bag with Julie Howard,
Faculty (Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU), 12:00
noon, Room 201, International Center.
February 13, Thursday
"Slavery in the 21st Century," talk by former
Sudanese slave, Francis Bok, 7:00 p.m., MSU Union,
Parlor Rooms B and C. For more information, contact
Shira Weinstein, at the Lester Morris Hillel Jewish
Student Center at (517) 332-1916. (See below for more
details).
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
MSU African Studies Center Application for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) 2003-04 DEADLINE EXTENDED to February 28, 2003 The African Studies Center at MSU is now accepting applications for FLAS fellowships for academic year 2003-04 and for the 2003 Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI). The FLAS fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program for the study of language and non-language courses on Africa.
Detailed information on the fellowship, and on-line application guidelines and forms are available on the Center's website: www.isp.msu.edu/AfricanStudies/. Applicants who can not access the on-line forms can either use the printable PDF files available on the webpage or contact the African Studies Center at (517) 353-1700; or e-mail: africa@msu.edu.
The deadline for submitting applications to the Center has been extended to FEBRUARY 28, 2003. In accordance with the Title VI centers' agreement of rotating summer course offerings under SCALI, African languages study in summer 2003 will be hosted by Ohio University. For more information on SCALI, prospective applicants should visit the URL at http://www.ohiou.edu/linguistics/dept/SCALI/Index.h tml.
Slavery in the 21st Century Slavery still exists for 27 million people in the 21st Century. Francis Bok, a former Sudanese slave , turned spokesperson for anti-slavery and brutalization of the innocent, will speak on slavery in the 21st century.
During a Sudanese government militia raid, seven year old Francis Bok was kidnapped and sold into bondage in 1986; he fought for his freedom for over 11 years, relocating to the U.S. in 1999; testified before Senate Foreign Relations Committee; he was present at the White House for signing of the Sudan Peace Act in October, 2002; now, he is on a mission to end slavery with the American Anti-Slavery Group. For additional information, contact Shira Weinstein at (517) 332-1916.
MSU Press/African Studies - Graduate Assistant Half-time graduate assistant needed to serve as 1) clerical support for the African E-Journals Project (AEJP) and 2) editorial assistant on MSU Press journals, with a focus on African journals.
This position will provide clerical support at the Press for the African E-Journals Project and editorial assistance for the serial journal publishing operation. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: maintaining and logging AEJP communication; preparing manuscripts/electronic files for editing; copyediting online; proofreading page proofs; working with editors and outside vendors to assemble serial journal issues from raw manuscripts; and miscellaneous duties to support the division.
Required: ability to touch type; general computer skills including MS Word 2000, Excel, and e-mail; excellent oral and written communication and editing skills with a keen eye for identifying stylistic and grammatical inconsistencies and mistakes. Ability to solve problems, demonstrate initiative, and follow established procedures under tight deadline constraints and attention to detail critical. Desired: ability to read, write, and translate French, Spanish, or Amharic.
To apply, submit a curriculum vitae and a writing sample (term/research paper) to Margot Kielhorn; MSU Press; 1405 S. Harrison Rd., 25 Manly Miles; or kielhorn@msu.edu. Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview and a written copyediting exercise.
Faculty Publications MSU African Studies Center Core
faculty members, Folu F. Ogundimu and Okechukwu C.
Iheduru are co-authors of "Developments in Transportation
and Communications" (Chapter 8) of the volume
entitled: Afro-Optimism: Perspectives on Africa's
Advances. 2003.
Edited by Ebere Onwudiwe and Minabere Ibelema (Wesport,
CT: Praeger).
Tonga/Tumbuka Tutor Needed Seeking Malawian Tumbuka or Tonga speakers for private tutorial during June-July, 2003. Please contact Aaron Russell, 333-3482, arussell@msu.edu for details.
Book Donation to Lagos, Nigeria Folu Ogundimu, African Studies Center Core faculty member, is collecting used books and journals for shipment to the newly inaugurated Department of Mass Communication Library at the Lagos State University, and the general collections of the LASU libraries at Ojota and Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria. If you would like to make a contribution of your used material for these libraries, the gesture will be most appreciated. Access to books and journals remain some of the most pressing and scarce resources for our African partners and the donations will go a long way to alleviate this problem.
Two years ago when Professor Ogundimu visited LASU as part of the MSU five-country survey of African universities, the refurbishment of university library resources were identified as one of the most urgent areas of cooperation and assistance with U.S. universities. Contributions to the LASU libraries could go a long way in meeting these needs. Drop off site and contact is Folu Ogundimu, 384 Communication Arts and Sciences Building, MSU. Donations will be accepted on a continuing basis and shipments will be sent three times a year. The first shipment is scheduled for mid-January, 2003.
CONFERENCES
Call for Papers Great Lakes History Conference The 28th annual Great Lakes History Conference, sponsored by Grand Valley State University, will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 7-8, 2003. The Great Lakes History Conference is a general academic conference; all fields of history are represented with particular attention to the yearly theme. The theme of the conference is "From Slavery to Freedom in the Atlantic World". Dr. Ira Berlin of the University of Maryland will be the keynote speaker. Papers and arranged sessions addressing this years' theme, including papers addressing all aspects of slavery as well as the history of African diasporic communities after emancipation; are all welcome. Papers in other areas of historical study are also welcome.
Sessions will last 90 minutes. Papers must take no longer than 30 minutes in two-paper sessions or 20 minutes in three-paper sessions. If you are interested in presenting a paper, please send an abstract of approximately 200 words, together with a short c.v. by May 15, 2003. Please include your summer address, e- mail address, and telephone number, if different from your current one. Those interested in commenting on a session should send a c.v. and indicate areas of expertise.
Conference headquarters will be at the L.V. Eberhard Center of Grand Valley State University in downtown Grand Rapids. Hotel accommodations will be available and entertainment. Grand Rapids is served by most major and regional airlines, as well as by Amtrak.
Please address all inquiries and abstracts to: Dr. Paul Murphy or Dr. David Stark, Department of History, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401; Phone: (616) 895-3298 (Department); E-mail: murphyp@gvsu.edu or starkd@gvsu.edu; Fax: 616-895- 3285; Website: www.gvsu.edu/history/glhc.html. Registration and Program Information will be sent in the summer.
FELLOWSHIPS
The Africa Project - Woodrow Wilson Center The Africanist Doctoral Candidate Fellowship Program, organized by the Woodrow Wilson International Center's Africa Project, provides advanced graduate students an opportunity to spend one to three summer months in Washington, DC, using the Center's research facilities, interacting with policymakers, and presenting part of their research to a wider audience. At the time of application, the candidates should have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in a Ph.D. program in any of the social sciences. Their dissertation work must be on an African subject that is relevant to the broader policy community in Washington. Applicants are required to explain how their research will benefit from residence at the Center. Priority will be given to scholars who might not have an opportunity to conduct research in Washington. Three fellowship recipients are expected to be selected and will be based at the Center between June and August 2003.
The application should consist of 1) a brief proposal of 2-3 pages, 2) a cv, providing complete contact information (mailing address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address), 3) two academic references, including one from the dissertation advisor. The applicants should also indicate their field of study and the time frame available to pursue this summer research opportunity. The application deadline is March 15, 2003. Fellowship recipients will receive $3,000 per month, inclusive of travel. Applications should be mailed or submitted electronically to: The Young Africanist Fellowships, The Africa Project, The Woodrow Wilson Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004-3027; e-mail: talmadgenv@wwic.si.edu.
JOBS
Pacific Interpreters - Portland, Oregon Pacific Interpreters is a professional language agency, providing interpretation and translation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 120 languages nationwide. The company is expanding and they are currently looking for qualified professional interpreters to work principally in medical and social service venues. With options in on-site interpretation and telephonic for a national market, Pacific Interpreters offers a range of opportunities for language professionals. There is an immediate need for All African dialects, especially Acholi, Amharic, Fulani, Bambara, Mandika, Krio, Oromo, Somali, Swahili, and Tigrinian.
Applicant is required to be proficient in oral and written English, have oral proficiency in a non-English language, and have knowledge of basic medical terminology. Preference will be given to applicants with formal training as interpreters, applicants with Professional certification, qualification or accreditation, and applicants with significant experience in the field. Applicant must be at least 21 years of age, US citizen or legal resident with work permit, and pass an acceptable criminal background check.
For more information please call (877) 272-2434 or (800) 311-1232, ext. 5620; or check the website at: www.PacificInterpreters.com. E-mail your resume to Shantel.Shake@PacificInterpreters.com, or fax to: (503) 445-5621, Attention: Shantel/Recruiter.
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
| Previous Menu | Home Page | What's New | Search | Country Specific |